Pennsylvania inmates hospitalized in likely carbon monoxide leak

A section of York County Prison in Pennsylvania remained off limits to inmates Friday after nearly 50 prisoners were hospitalized with what appears to be carbon monoxide poisoning, county officials told the Los Angeles Times.

On Wednesday night, 49 female inmates were taken to the hospital after showing symptoms related breathing in the colorless, odorless gas.

Prison officials believe the gas came from a leak in that unit’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. The unit was shut down and the area was ventilated Wednesday and Thursday.

All but five of the prisoners were returned to the prison Thursday morning. The county is investigating the leak and all the prisoners in the housing unit have been moved to other areas in the facility.

Prison Warden Mary Sabol said prison officials will look into carbon monoxide detectors for the facility, the Associated Press reported.